Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the Deaths of Three Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan

June 20, 2007 - The Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement today on the deaths of three Canadian soldiers:

"I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the families of Sergeant Christos Karigiannis, Corporal Stephen Bouzane and Private Joel Wiebe, who were killed today in Afghanistan.These three dedicated Canadian soldiers lost their lives when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device while conducting a re-supply operation between two checkpoints in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province.This is a tragic loss for Canada and the Canadian Forces - but it was not in vain. Afghans are re-establishing themselves and their communities, and their lives are improving. They see the positive work we are doing in contributing to stability and a lasting peace. Thanks to the bravery of solders like Sergeant Karigiannis, Corporal Bouzane and Private Wiebe, we are making great progress in this region in creating a better future for the Afghan people.Sergeant Karigiannis, Corporal Bouzane and Private Wiebe, all of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, were three great Canadians who will be missed by the Canadian Forces family, their communities and Canadians everywhere - we will always remember them."

Our Fallen Soldier - Trooper Darryl Caswell

It is with deepest sadness, we learn today that one of our Canadian Soldiers has fallen to a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. We grieve and our hearts are heavy for the family and friends of soldier Trooper Darryl Caswell . Our hearts go out to the family - both here and in Afghanistan, their section and friends of our two wounded soldiers and our fallen soldier.

God Bless.

-

~Trooper Darryl Caswell~

To view or sign the guestbook for Trooper Caswell's family, click here:

http://www.legacy.com/GB/GuestbookEntry.aspx?&PersonID=89008051

Received: June 11, 2007 11:12 pm (Canada)
Canadian Soldier Killed, Two Injured by Roadside Bomb in Afghanistan
A Canadian soldier was killed today when a roadside bomb detonated near the vehicle he was travelling in, about 40 km north of Kandahar City. The incident occurred at approximately 6:25 p.m. Kandahar time (10:05 a.m. EST). Two Canadian soldiers suffered non-life threatening injuries from the blast. They have been evacuated by helicopter to the Canadian-led multinational hospital at Kandahar Airfield for further treatment and are expected to return to duty soon.

Killed was Trooper Darryl Caswell of The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD), based at Petawawa, Ont. Trooper Caswell was deployed in the south of Afghanistan with the RCD Reconnaissance Squadron as part of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2RCR) Battle Group.

Trooper Caswell was part of a Combat Logistics Patrol (CLP) convoy, conducting a resupply mission for Canadian troops based at a forward operating base in Kahkrez when the incident occurred. The convoy was operating in support of the ongoing security efforts conducted jointly by the Afghan national security forces and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldiers in the northern region of Kandahar province. Family members of the deceased and injured soldiers have been notified.

Our priority at this time is to ensure that our wounded soldiers receive the best possible medical care and that the remains of Trooper Caswell are repatriated to Canada in the most dignified and respectful manner. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of our wounded and fallen soldiers.

Red Shirt Walk/Run, Traffic Delay

DND/Public Service Advisory


Military and civilian staff of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces will partake in a 5 km Red Shirt Walk/Run on 1 June 2007, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm.Traffic may be delayed as the procession makes its way from National Defence Headquarters at the Laurier Bridge, along Colonel By Drive over the Pretoria Bridge and returning via Queen Elizabeth Driveway to Wellington Street, finishing on Parliament Hill.As a courtesy, the NAC has agreed to the use of their thruway to Wellington Street.

Fallen Soldier is Returning Home

May 28, 2007
Our fallen soldier, Corporal Matthew McCully, a member of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron (2 CMBG HQ & Sig Sqn), based in Petawawa, Ontario, is scheduled to return home to Canada today.
Where: 8 Wing Trenton, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario.
When: Monday, May 28, 7:30 p.m.
Present to pay their respects will be The Minister of National Defence, Gordon O'Connor, and other dignitaries.

Bless him on his journey home.

A further note: In Northumberland County, there will be people standing on bridges over Highway 401 at Colborne, Grafton, Cobourg and Port Hope to mark the passing of the hearse and escort vehicles.

9:01 pm

Canadian Soldier, Cpl. Matthew McCully was returned to Canadian soil to his family today at CFB Trenton during a repatriation ceremony.
A CC-130 Hercules aircraft carrying his remains touched down at the base just before 7:30 p.m.
The final note of the piper's skirl hung heavily in the still night air as eight Canadian soldiers carried the flag-draped casket of Cpl. Matthew McCully across the tarmac at this eastern Ontario military base.
Governor General Michaelle Jean, Cief of Defence Staff Rick Hillier and Defence minister Gordon O’Connor joined military officials and grieving relatives on the tarmac as McCully’s casket was carried from the aircraft by fellow soldiers. Just metres away, McCully’s mother, Valerie McGrady, locked arms with her daughter, Shannon, and her partner, Neil Weise. McCully’s younger brother, Daniel, stood beside them—solemnly staring into the open hearse. McCully’s father, Ron, wearing a white cowboy hat and dark sunglasses, clutched red and white roses. His wife, Michelle, hugged his left arm as his son’s casket was lowered into the hearse for the last leg of its journey home. McGrady knelt on the ground after placing a single red rose on her son’s coffin before military officials guided the family into three waiting black limousines. The limousines drove slowly from the tarmac—passing one large and half-a-dozen small Canadian flags placed on the base’s barbed-wire fence by Bob and Demetra Belear of Belleville, Ont.
Bob Belear said he and his wife have been to almost every repatriation ceremony at CFB Trenton, and he said they always hang the flags on the fence out of respect for the soldiers. “The flag is our country’s flag, and these men and women are serving our country,” he said. “When you see civilians on this side of the fence, it shows respect for the sacrifice they made.”

"Thank you Mr. & Mrs Belear" on behalf of military familes and friends.

"As well, thank you Mr. Don Cherry for your reflection during the hockey intermission in regards to Canada's fallen soldier- Cpl Matthew McCully."

Press Release - Military Families Fund

This is a press release that just came in from the National Defence Department. This is great news! My only question is: What does it fund? I know a lot of families who do not live on or near the defence bases and have felt like they were and/or are in left field (out of the loop). If you are in this category, please leave me a comment (you can remain annonymous if you wish, but just notate a city or town). eg. Did you go attend a midtour briefing? (many parents and spouses didn't even know there was one) Is there a CFPSA in your area?

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April 2, 2007

CFPSA: CDS Military Families Fund
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - - (April 2, 2007)

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Rick Hillier, in recognition of the outpouring of support from Canadians, announced the creation of the CDS Military Families Fund today, adding a new vehicle to support military families."When our families call out for help, we must be able to answer that call immediately and substantially," said Gen. Hillier. "Our families have been here for us through our enrollment, our training, our deployments, and our homecomings. The military life places significant demands on our loved ones. They did not volunteer for service - but serve they do, and with great distinction. It is our turn to be there for our families."The CDS Military Families Fund will be an agile and responsive means to provide support to military families. Base Commanders, partnered with Military Family Resource Centres across the country, will be able to assist military families within hours of being advised of the need.The CDS Military Families Fund will grow through the contributions of private citizens and corporations. Contributions can be accepted by phone or mail, as well as through participation in upcoming fundraising events that will be announced later this year. For inquiries about this fund or to make a contribution, please call 1-877-445-6444.

The Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA) - the morale and welfare arm of the CF that provides programs and services for the well-being of the CF community - will administer the CDS Military Families Fund. Cheques or money orders should be made out to CFCF - CDS Military Families Fund.

The mailing address is as follows:

CDS Military Families Fund
c/o Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency
4210 Labelle Street ,
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K2

Please do not send cash.

Soldier Charged

Shilo Soldier Charged in Death of Master Corporal Jeffrey Walsh
Department of National Defence

Master Cpl. Jeffrey Scott Walsh

On August 9th, Canadian soldier Master Cpl. Jeffrey Scott Walsh, based out of Shilo, Manitoba with the second battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) was killed in Afghanistan after being accidentally shot by a fellow Canadian soldier about noon that day. This was just days after arriving in Kandahar to begin his tour of duty.

Walsh was conducting routine operations along Highway One near the Zhari district centre, about 20 km west of Kandahar city, when the accident occurred.He had arrived in Kandahar less than a week before as part of a month-long relief-in-place operation that would see the new rotation replace more than 2,000 troops returning to Canada.Lt.-Col. Brian Irwin, chief of staff for Task Force Afghanistan said Canadian soldiers come to Afghanistan only after receiving the best possible training and come outfitted with the "best possible" weapons and equipment. "In a theatre like this, though, there is always a small degree or margin for error," he said. "Regrettably, in this incident it appears that there was an accident and certainly appears that that margin of error may have been crossed."

Today, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) charged a soldier stationed at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, today, in relation to the shooting.

MCpl Robbie Fraser, of the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Regiment (PPCLI), was charged with one count of Manslaughter, contrary to Section 130 of the National Defence Act, pursuant to Section 236 of the Criminal Code, and one count of Negligent Performance of Duty, contrary to Section 124 of the National Defence Act.The CFNIS is an independent Military Police unit with a mandate to investigate serious and sensitive matters in relation to National Defence property, DND employees and CF personnel serving in Canada and abroad.
To view Walsh's Memoriam: http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/LFWA/memoriam_walsh.htm